Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1887-02-17
H. NUMBE

the act was % 297. and the number OF pensions
actually allowed-20, 49, costing IL Is report
cd for the FIRST year, 81 s47. 300 instead of slO-
| OO0 the estimated expense for that period
"A law was passed in 1863 for the benant Of
the surviving widows OF revolutionary soldiers
who were married after Jan. i 1900. IL was es-
| timated that they numbered 800 DC the time OF
tho passage OF the act, but the number OF pen.
| sohs allowed was S,472, and the amount paid
for such pensions during the first year of the
operation OF the act was $4,000, instead Of
$4,000, as had been estimated. have made
no search for other illustrations, and the above.
being at hand. are given intending TO show
that estimates cannot be relied upon In such
cases.
IF none should be pensioned under this bill
| except those utterly unable to work, am sat
isied that the cost stated In the estimate re-
ferred TO would be many times multiplied, and
| with constant increase from year to year and
| II those partially unable to earn their support
should be admitted TO the privileges of this bill,
the palpable increase of expense would be al
most appalling.
Il think it may be said that at the close Of the
war OF the rebellion every Northern State and a
great majority OF Northern counties and cities
were burdened with taxation on account of the
large bounties paid our soldiers; and the bond
cd debt thereby created still constitutes large
item in the account OF the tax-gatherer against
the people. Federal taxation, no less borne by
the people than that directly levied
upon their property is, still maintained at the
II this bill should become q law, with its tre-
mendous addition TO our previous obligations,
reduce the Federal revenue and restore some
part Of IL to our people will and perhaps should
be seriously questioned.
1T has constantly been a cause OF pride and
congratulation to the American citizen that his
country is not put 20 the charge Of maintaining
Il large standing army in time OF peace Yet
We are now living under n war tax which has
been tolerated in peaceful times to meet the
obligations incurred in war; But for years past,
in oil parts Of the country, the demand for the
reduction OF the burdens of taxation upon our
| labor md nrOduntiOn haa incrpaaa1 N VOlnma
and urgency.
Il am not willing TO approve measure pre-
senting the objections to which this bill is sub
ject and which, moreover will have the effect
OF disappointing the expectation of the people
and their desire and hope for relief from war
taxation in time OF peace. In my last annual
message the following language was used:
Every patriotic heart responds to q tender
consideration for those who having served their
country long and well, are reduced to destitu-
tion and dependence, not as an incideut of their
service, but with advancing age or through sick
ness or misfortune. We are all tempted by the
contemplation OF such n condition to supply re-
lief, and are often impatient of the limitations
Of public duty. Yielding TO no one in the desire
to indulge this feeling Of consideration, cannot
rid myself of the conviction that IL these ex-
soldiers are to be relieved, they and their cause
arc entitled to the benefit Of an enactment un-
der which relief may be claimed as right,
and that such relief should be granted under
the sanction Of law, not in evasion Of it nor
should such worthy objects Of care, all equally
entitled, be remitted to the unequal operation
of sympathy or of the tender mercies OF social
and political influence, with their unjust dis
criminations.'
Il do not think that the objects, the condi-
tions, and the limitations thus suggested
contained in the bill under consideration.
adhere to the sentiments thus heretofore
expressed But the evil threatened by this
bill is in my opinion such that, charged
with great responsibility in behalf Of
the people, can not do otherwise than to
bring to the consideration of this measure my
best efforts OF thought and Judgment, and per-
form my constitutional duty in relation thereto
regardless OF all consequences, except such as
appear to me to be related to the best and high
est interests of the country.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion, Washington, Feb. IL, 1897"